- Coca-Cola has commissioned royal portrait artists to paint four local business owners as part of new campaign
- Local Royalty celebrates and recognises the important contributions independent businesses make in their local communities
- Research commissioned by Coca-Cola Great Britain found that 87% of people consider independent businesses an essential part of life, and 80% want to see them celebrated more often
- Portraits will be revealed to the public in a new free exhibition at prestigious Saatchi Gallery from 28th October to 1st November
Coca-Cola has unveiled Local Royalty, a new portrait series which recognises the contribution independent businesses make in their local communities.
The portraits have been painted by a selection of Britain’s finest portrait artists, each of which has previously painted an official portrait of a member of the Royal Family. The new work will go on display to the public at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London.
Local Royalty is the latest instalment of Coca-Cola GB’s campaign which celebrates its local roots and the people and families that make and serve its drinks every day.
Following The Bosses last year, a documentary and photography series, and Counter Cultures earlier this year, Local Royalty shifts into the physical world of formal portraiture.
The portraits depict four independent business owners from across hospitality and retail each with their own story of supporting the communities they serve:
- Kaual Patel, owner of Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, South East London, took over the family business from his father in 2000. Alongside serving the local community for more than two decades, Kaual champions independent producers from the surrounding area by giving them space on his shelves. He has been painted by Nick Bashall, portrait painter to Princess Anne.
- Pindy Kaur, owner of Ocean Fish Bar in Barnsley, has helped transform the family-run takeaway into a much-loved local business since taking it over in the 1990s. With more than 25 years serving the Barnsley community, Pindy has built a business known for its loyal customers and family-run spirit. She has been painted by Nicky Philipps, two-time portrait painter to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
- Gino Verecchia, owner of University Café in Glasgow, is the third generation of his family to run the business, which first opened in 1918. Combining Italian heritage, including a century-old gelato recipe, with Scottish favourites, the café has become a Glasgow institution. He has been painted by Gareth Reid, portrait artist to King Charles III while he was Prince of Wales.
- Simon Dafforn-Jones, landlord of The Ferry Boat Inn in Dittisham, South Devon, has run the pub for almost 20 years, following in his father’s footsteps. From giving local teenagers their first jobs to championing regional produce, Simon is committed to making sure the pub continues to play an important role in village life. He has been painted by Jamie Coreth, who painted the first official portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The portraits come as new research* from Coca-Cola Great Britain reveals that almost nine in ten (87%) Brits consider independent businesses an essential part of life in Great Britain, while 79% believe their local community would be worse off without them.
The findings highlight just how important these businesses are to everyday life, with almost half (49%) of consumers saying they would struggle to live without their local corner shop. More than a third say the same about cafés (37%) and takeaways (35%), while 31% say they would struggle without their local pub.
Despite this, 79% believe the contribution independent business owners make to their communities is underappreciated, while 80% would like to see them celebrated more often.
An Vermeulen, Vice President and General Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, said: “One of the things I’ve learned spending time with our customers across Great Britain is just how important independent businesses are to the communities they serve. They are so much more than a place to do the shopping, buy a drink, grab something to eat or meet friends. They create jobs, bring people together and often sit at the heart of local life.
“We’ve worked alongside independent customers for generations, and with 97% of the products we sell in Great Britan produced here, we’re deeply invested in the success of local communities and customers, so I love that Local Royalty puts the spotlight on the brilliant people behind these businesses. These portraits are a wonderful way to celebrate their energy, passion and entrepreneurial spirit, and to recognise everything they do, every day, to grow their businesses, serve local people and strengthen their communities.”
Kaual Patel, owner of Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, South East London, said: “When my dad bought our shop back in 1984, I don’t think either of us could have imagined that one day I’d be having my portrait painted and displayed in the Saatchi Gallery! It’s an incredible way to celebrate everything that goes into running a local business, and I’m really proud to be part of it.
“A lot has changed over the years, but the relationships we’ve built with our customers have always been at the heart of what we do. We’re part of their everyday lives, just as they’re part of ours. To have that recognised in such a special way is something I’ll always remember, and I’m looking forward to having the portrait back in the shop for everyone to see.”
Nick Bashall, portrait painter to HRH The Princess Royal Anne, said: “Coca-Cola is celebrating independent businesses, and Kaual Patel, as the owner of a convenience store, is a wonderful example. The whole experience unfolded in the store, as I stood at my easel and painted Kaual and the entire background on the spot, with people milling around us. It was great fun watching his customers’ faces as they came in, clearly wondering what was going on, but also intrigued by it all.”
Each business owner will also receive a donation for a local charity of their choice and the finished portrait, which they can display in their home or business and pass down through their family for generations.
The integrated campaign has been activated across editorial, social and owned media.
The exhibition is free to attend and open to the public from 28th October to 1st November. Alongside the finished works, visitors will see exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the sittings, revealing the encounters between artists and owners and the process of translating each sitter’s character, history and connection to their community into a formal portrait.
*Research conducted by Clariti in September 2026, among 2,000 consumers
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